Why should you never pull in front of a truck?

Driving around big rigs requires a heightened awareness of following the rules of the road in New Jersey. If you are distracted or driving recklessly around a large truck, you are increasing your risks of being involved in an accident and if you are in a smaller passenger car, the sheer size and weight of a large truck could mean a dangerous outcome for you if you are involved in a crash with one.

One of the most dangerous things you can do is to cut off a large truck. While you may think that you have adequate time to pull in front of a big rig and speed ahead, it takes them an alarming amount of time to stop if you do not leave enough room between the two of you. In fact, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, a truck that has a full load may take as much as the length of two football fields to come to a complete stop if you were to pull in front of it. Even more concerning, this statistic is based on good road conditions. The stopping time would increase significantly if the road or weather conditions were poor.

If you desire to switch lanes and there is a big rig nearby, practice vigilance and leave yourself plenty of room before you make the lane change. If you do not think you will have adequate space, wait until the truck has passed you and then make your lane change.

The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice.